Devotional, Elizabeth Elliot
Souls are vulnerable things. They need
safeguards. It was when Paul was in prison that
this idea came to him. He had just been writing
to the Philippians about the benefits that
accrued because of his own sufferings and the
possible death he might die. He told them of
Epaphroditus' illness and anxiety, and finished
with "In conclusion, my brothers, delight
yourselves in the Lord!...You will find it a
great safeguard to your souls" (Phil 3:1 JBP).
It would be very easy to allow depression and
anxiety to overcome us when we look at the dismal
circumstances in which we sometimes find
ourselves. Who had better reason than Paul for
depression? ("Oh well, but he was Saint Paul!" we
counter.) He had learned by practice how to apply
the soul's safeguard, which is not mere
enjoyment. It is delight. This is a command and
therefore an act of will, and it is done in the
Lord. No circumstance is so dismal as to prevent
obedience to the command. No trouble can blast
that safeguard. Do it. Do it by faith. Delight
yourself in the Lord. Maybe you will have to get
out of bed, get up from your chair, go outdoors
and walk, sing a song out loud, bake a pie for
somebody, or mow the lawn as an offering of
praise. You can do something which will help you
to obey that command. It is amazing how strongly
what we do affects how we feel.
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